This practice provides a standard approach to measuring particle deposition, or fallout, in cleanrooms and other controlled environments. It is based on the use of a witness surface to collect particles that deposit from the surrounding environment and subsequently sizing and counting the particles by conventional methods. Several options are introduced, with limitations and guidelines for selecting the best choice for the intended application.

This practice is applicable across numerous industries including aerospace, microelectronics, and pharmaceuticals.

1.1 This practice is intended to assist in the selection, preparation, exposure, and analysis of witness surfaces for the purpose of characterizing particle deposition rates in cleanrooms and associated controlled environments, particularly for aerospace applications.

1.2 Requirements may be defined in terms of particle size distribution and count, percent area coverage, or product performance criteria such as optical transmission or scatter. Several choices for witness surfaces are provided.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.